Missing cat or missing owner?!

[torthecatlady]

I've been feeding a stray cat for 2 weeks (much to my two boys dismay). It's so thin and frail. I've tried asking neighbours, posting on the Facebook community page and writing a paper collar (but no one removed the collar or rang my number).

It has fleas and possibly worms. It eats more like a horse than a tiny cat.

I've been waiting to have a day off work so I could take it to the vet to see if it has a chip.

Finally I got the chance today.

So the good news is that the cat had a chip. The bad news is that the chip was unregistered.

With some hard work from the vets, they managed to find out who implanted the chip and cross checked it with their diary of appointments and their records to find an owner. How they managed that is beyond me! Cat's name is Charlotte. 😸

They live about 30 minutes drive away. This poor little cat has done some miles!

More bad news, they cannot get hold of the owner.

My details have been taken. Charlotte is home with me, well outside anyway. They said if they don't get back to me by the end of the week, to call back.

My issue is that this Charlotte needs treatment. I'm debating whether or not to go and buy a cheap flea collar to tide her over, as much as I hate collars and don't think they're very effective. Surely better than nothing?

[torthecatlady]

Here she is by the way. Definitely looks plumper than she is!!

[thecatneuterer]

I don't understand why you can't just give her a proper flea treatment? Oh and it's great that you're helping her.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It probably won’t work, it might be toxic to her and it’s a strangulation risk. My vets charge £8 for advocate. Could you stretch to a vial of that?.

[Kenworthington]

Just give her the proper flea and work treatment from the vets if you can afford it. It won’t be very expensive. She could become really poorly with the worms otherwise. She’s very cute

[Blostma]

She is very pretty...

[torthecatlady]

The vet will not allow me to buy treatment unless I am the registered owner. or I guess until they have given enough chance for the original owner to get in touch?

I did offer to put it on my credit card. Unfortunately, I don't get paid until Friday. But they said not to for now.

[thecatneuterer]

You can buy Advantage and Drontal in chemists, in Pets at Home and online. That's proper stuff. The problem is you can only buy Advantage in packs of three. It's not that expensive though.

[torthecatlady]

I have stronghold in the house, but it says for cats between 2.6 and 7.5 kg. She is feather light, like a kitten. And weighs maybe slightly more than a bag of sugar so less than that. Do you think it would be harmful to her?
I could pop to PAH and see if they have anything for smaller cats?

[MiniLeopardInTheHouse]

Another example of why we all need to make sure our cats' microchips are registered and then updated over the years.

You're doing a good thing OP.

[SinceWhenDid]

Could you use half a dose? Not sure if that is silly advice or not...

[Cliveybaby]

Did you get the address, can you just go round and see if hte owners are there?
I'd be wary of treating somebody else's cat... there may be a reason they haven't flead her, like that she has another conditions you don't know about and would react badly

[torthecatlady]

All I can go by is, if it were my cat and someone found it I would want the best treatment and for it to be cared for.

I don't understand why the vets wouldn't allow it really, when their best interest is surely the animal.

@SinceWhenDid Good question! Hopefully someone can tell us!

[fairylightsdown]

Can you run a flea comb through her and drown the caught fleas in water?

I wouldn't give her flea treatment that's meant for a larger cat. I think it can do harm

[torthecatlady]

@Cliveybaby The vet was unable to give me the address, but I did ask if it was stupidly close to where I live.

They said the name of the town. Which is 30 minutes away in the car.

I gave them permission to give my details to the owners. If the owner doesn't respond, I'll do my best to adopt her (or rather become her slave).

[OnTopOfSpaghetti]

No advice but Charlotte is rather beautiful 💕 You are doing a good thing by helping her.

[torthecatlady]

@fairylightsdown Yes, have brushed her with a flea comb. I use indorex in the house... which reminds me, I could do with spraying it again.

She seemed to enjoy the affection and is very purry. Occasionally likes to be picked up and held close to my chest. I am definitely attached.

I will be sad to see her go, but obviously happy for her and her owners too.

[dontticklethetoad]

I know they said call at the end of the week, but how long will the give the original owners to get her back?

[thecatneuterer]

She weighs more than 2.6. A few weeks ago I picked up a cat that was on the point of death from starvation, she had to be put on a drip and it was touch and go whether or not she would make it (she did). She weighed 2.3 kg the day I picked her up and she felt incredibly light.

At a guess that cat in picture weighs 3.2.

[rupertpenryswife]

Oh op you are amazing and what a lovely cat, I assume she is friendly? Not sure if I missed it but have you spoken to animal shelters they may offer treatment or house her temporarily. It does seem mad you have to wait until the end of the week a you can't get treatment. Let us know what happens with Charlotte. Can I ask why someone would deregister a chip?

[torthecatlady]

@thecatneuterer I just went outside, but she's wandered off. When she returns I'll use the stronghold.

[torthecatlady]

@rupertpenryswife I haven't spoken with any shelters, but the vets did recommend some for if the owners don't come forward.

I must admit, I do feel like it's my responsibility to get her home or at least care for her. I'm just trying to do my best.

I don't think the chip was de-registered. It sounded like it was never actually registered in the first place? Possibly a mistake or they didn't save the information? I don't work in animal care so I'm not sure how it works.

[ifonly4]

It might be worth doing a search online to check for anyone whose lost a cat in that area matching Charlotte's description.

[fuzzyfozzy]

Have you tried the Facebook page for her town?
Super cute!

[torthecatlady]

Not yet, but I will do that.

[torthecatlady]

Just to keep everyone updated.

I have posted on her local town's Facebook community page reaching out to Charlotte's owners or anyone who may know her owners.

She also popped in for some food, dh and I managed to grab her and put the strong hold on. She seemed quite happy to have it.

I'm in work for a 12 hour shift tomorrow, but will ask dh to keep an eye out to make sure she doesn't have any reactions.